I haven't posted a book review in a long time and I'm finally sitting down to write one. This months free book from blogging for books is a cook book called Around the Fire. Its written by Greg Denton and Gabrielle Quinones Denton with Stacy Adimando. Greg and Gabrielle have a restaurant in Portland called "Ox Restaurant" This cook book is filled from cover to cover with some of their most mouth watering dishes served there.
The front cover is adorned with a fire pit and inviting flames. The warmth it emits draws you in and you cant help but run your hand over the front of the book. Each page is a soft paper material, not the silky typical book page of a cook book.
The table of contents is what draws you into the beginning of the book. Its laid out in parts, equaling 4 parts.
Part 1 is the beginning, filled with delicious entrées such as spiced beef empanadas, coal roasted oysters on the half-shell, grilled foie gras with caramelized onion sherry broth, savory cabbage and gruyere toasts. (My mouth is watering just typing that out!)
Part 2 (from the grill) is filled with Veal chops with chanterelle Mushroom Stroganoff, Grilled Maple-Brined Pork Chops, Grilled Lamb Shoulder Chops with a Rosemary Marinade, Grilled Butterflied whole Chicken with grilled figs, manouri cheese and lentil chimichurri. Are you frothing at the mouth yet?
Part 3 (from the garden) Has my mouth watering with kale and radicchio salad with Miso-Lemon Dressing, Feta and Crispy Red Onion rings, Heirloom Tomatoes with shaved sweet onion, capers, bottarga and Cress, Grilled Radicchio and Corn with Mt Tam Triple creams and Roasted Tomato Vinaigrette. Garden deliciousness is by far my most favorite!
Part 4 (sweets and drinks) will have you reaching for your dessert plate with delectable entrees such as Strawberry-Cherry Sorbet with chocolate magic Shell and Crushed Pistachios, Vanilla bean tres leches cake with marionberry ice cream, warm parmesan pund cake with whipped mascarpone, raspberries, and basil sugar. I am officially ready for some dessert!
After the Contents page there is a great Coauthors note from Stacy Adimando. I cant even begin to put into words the sweetness that emits from the words she chose to put in this note. Here is a little snippet "Don't get me wrong: I have nothing but love for you, non-meat-eating friend I speak of. But surely, I though, the fire-coked rib-eye and the onion-marinated skirt steak and the list of other grilled meats that ran down the center of this restaurant's menu must be the best dishes they offer. In this age of share-everything dining, I silently panicked." She goes on to talk about how she discovered the restaurant Ox and her fondness for everything it entailed.
Grilling Basics literally cover everything needed to grill any type of food. They start off with the style of the grill, types of fuel (yes there are more than one type of fuel to build a wood fire with), the essential grilling tools (there wont be a test but some of them are really essential, such as the chimney starter) and finish off with how to turn your grill into a smoker. Yes there are a few steps inbetween but I cant give everything away!
Every single recipe gives you an exact ingredient list and how much of each item will be needed to prepare the meal. Along with the ingredient list there are step by step instructions on exactly how to prepare the dish so that it comes out to perfection. My personal favorite part of each recipe are the photos that come with each one. I don't know about you but I want to know what my finished product is suppose to look like. It's an added bonus that each one of these photos are creatively taken to
make your mouth water.
There are over 200 pages of delicious recipes of all varieties to meet every single one of our grilling needs, wants and desires. After all of these there is a short section titled "basic recipes" that add the perfect touch to this book. There is everything from homemade ketchup, homemade mayonnaise, smoked sea salt to toasted garlic-lemon oil and grandma Agnes's spicy dill pickles. What an amazing cook book to include recipes for the basic ingredients so you can freshly make them instead of purchasing them from the store! That alone gets my vote of approval!
I have nothing but amazing things to say about every page of this book from the inviting front cover, to the pages filled with the most amazing food ive ever seen to the back cover of the book that so sweetly has a quote from Francis Mallmann. If you have a chance to purchase this book, do it! you will not be sorry and it will be money well spent!
Happy grilling :)
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Saturday, March 26, 2016
tears, memories and the Holocaust
Its taken me a while to write my review of the last book I received from Blogging for Books, I had to read this book in sections as my emotions were all over the place while reading the words on the pages. I have always been intrigued by the Holocaust and have been to the memorial museum in Washington DC. My life was forever changed as I walked through those walls. Reading this book brought back a lot of those memories for me.
In this epic history of extermination and survival, Timothy Snyder presents a new explanation of the great atrocity of the twentieth century, and reveals the risks that we face in the twenty-first. Based forgotten testimonies from Jewish survivors this book recounts the mass murder of the Jews as an event that is still close to us.
The Holocaust began in a dark but accessible place, in Hitler's mind, with the thought that the elimination of Jews would restore balance to the planet and allow Germans to win the resources they desperately needed. Such a worldview could be realized only if Germany destroyed other states, so Hitler's aim was a colonial war in Europe itself. In the zones of statelessness, almost all Jews died. A few people aided them, without support from institutions. Much of the new research in this book is devoted to understanding these extraordinary individuals. The almost insurmountable difficulties they faced only confirm the dangers of state destruction and ecological panic that in similar circumstances few of us would do so.
By overlooking the lessons of the Holocaust, Snyder concludes, we have misunderstood modernity and endangered the future. The early twenty-first century is coming to resemble the early twentieth, as growing preoccupations with food and water accompany ideological challenges to global order. Our world is closer to Hitler's than we like to admit, and saving it requires us to see the Holocaust as it was -- and ourselves as we are. Groundbreaking, authoritative, and utterly absorbing, Black Earth reveals a Holocaust that is not only history but warning.
In this epic history of extermination and survival, Timothy Snyder presents a new explanation of the great atrocity of the twentieth century, and reveals the risks that we face in the twenty-first. Based forgotten testimonies from Jewish survivors this book recounts the mass murder of the Jews as an event that is still close to us.
The Holocaust began in a dark but accessible place, in Hitler's mind, with the thought that the elimination of Jews would restore balance to the planet and allow Germans to win the resources they desperately needed. Such a worldview could be realized only if Germany destroyed other states, so Hitler's aim was a colonial war in Europe itself. In the zones of statelessness, almost all Jews died. A few people aided them, without support from institutions. Much of the new research in this book is devoted to understanding these extraordinary individuals. The almost insurmountable difficulties they faced only confirm the dangers of state destruction and ecological panic that in similar circumstances few of us would do so.
By overlooking the lessons of the Holocaust, Snyder concludes, we have misunderstood modernity and endangered the future. The early twenty-first century is coming to resemble the early twentieth, as growing preoccupations with food and water accompany ideological challenges to global order. Our world is closer to Hitler's than we like to admit, and saving it requires us to see the Holocaust as it was -- and ourselves as we are. Groundbreaking, authoritative, and utterly absorbing, Black Earth reveals a Holocaust that is not only history but warning.
Saturday, November 7, 2015
chai tea love from the Gods
This last week smiley360 sent me some coupons to try out some chai tea from Tazo. My taste buds are doing a happy dance and have begged me to drink it everyday. This stuff is pure heaven in a warm liquid form. I love everything about Chai Tea and this stuff does not disappoint! The flavor is so delicious, I almost do not want to swallow it. I want to keep it in my mouth where my taste buds can savor the flavor.
You get to choose from warm liquid goodness that pours straight out of the carton or cute little tea bags that you get to give a warm bath in your cup of scalding hot water. I picked up some of each and have enjoyed the goodness in both forms. I also sent a friend one of the cartons full of liquid deliciousness and he was so excited to receive it that he poured a cup as soon as he took it out of his care package.
This stuff is truly magical. I don't even know what else to say about it. There is a variety of flavors but the caramel one is my favorite sinful delight. the rest of the flavors are just as good but I have a love affair with caramel so when that is paired up with a chai tea....there is some serious love flowing.
The rest of the delicious flavors to choose from are:
classic latte
vanilla caramel latte
chai latte
pumpkin spice
and
chocolate
and for you non caffeine drinkers, yes it does come in decaf. wahoooo!
click this link for some more tasty chai tea info
http://h5.sml360.com/-/1f7h0
You get to choose from warm liquid goodness that pours straight out of the carton or cute little tea bags that you get to give a warm bath in your cup of scalding hot water. I picked up some of each and have enjoyed the goodness in both forms. I also sent a friend one of the cartons full of liquid deliciousness and he was so excited to receive it that he poured a cup as soon as he took it out of his care package.
This stuff is truly magical. I don't even know what else to say about it. There is a variety of flavors but the caramel one is my favorite sinful delight. the rest of the flavors are just as good but I have a love affair with caramel so when that is paired up with a chai tea....there is some serious love flowing.
The rest of the delicious flavors to choose from are:
classic latte
vanilla caramel latte
chai latte
pumpkin spice
and
chocolate
and for you non caffeine drinkers, yes it does come in decaf. wahoooo!
click this link for some more tasty chai tea info
http://h5.sml360.com/-/1f7h0
Saturday, September 26, 2015
crafters delight
Let me just start off by saying that I am completely in LOVE with the newest book I am reviewing from Blogging for Books!
If you and your children love crafts, this is the book for you! Paper Goods Projects by Jodi Levine is the ultimate fun craft heaven.
This book covers everything from toddler crafts that are super adorable to older children crafts that are cute enough to give away as gifts.
The first line of the Forward section had me hooked. "The first rule of crafting is Don't Drop the Glitter" If your husbands are anything like mine, spilled glitter is the end of the world. He despises glitter and any and all things that have to do with it. Of course that means I have to buy it in bulk and use it on every craft project that I do with my 4 year old daughter.
coffee filters and cupcake papers have their own section in this delightful book and you guessed it, its the first chapter! I have always wanted to try out some of the coffee filter crafts I see on pinterest but have not been brave enough. Now I have the tools to guide me through it with fool proof step by step directions. From flowers to cards and gift tags and a few things in between (I wont ruin the surprise for you) this book will have you seeking out the cutest cupcake papers in town. I mean, who would have though mini cupcake papers would make the cutest little dollhouse accessories?
If your household is anything like mine, there is always extra paper plates left over after parties that get put up in the top of the cupboard and shoved to the back where they are forgotten about. More are then purchased for the next party only to have them left over and added to the hidden stash once the party is over. Now that I have this amazing craft book, those left over hidden plates no longer have to stay stashed away. There are some amazingly adorable crafts that will use them up in no time. When party time comes around, there is always a need for dessert stands and none to be found. Now with all of those excess paper plates laying around, you can whip a few up in no time and proudly display all of your tasty treats to be gobbled up. Team those up with some fun paper plate masks for your party guests in the designs of lions, birds, or bunnies for the boys and perhaps some tiara's for the girls and you have a complete party set up made out of left over party supplies. Hard to go wrong with any of those ideas, especially when they come with detailed step by step directions and supply list.
Balloons...who doesn't love them? I know I do, well until they pop that is. My daughter loves to blow them up and promptly pop them and then just laugh and laugh. I am hoping that once we complete a few of the balloon crafts in this book she will no longer feel the need to do the popping stage. Pair a few balloons up with some dyed coffee filters, straws, paper plate or construction paper and you have the cutest little clown. lion, giraffe, ballerina, birds (I am in love with the birds) or planets. Follow that up with some cute little twisty letters to spell out words and you will be in balloon cuteness overload.
the last section of the book is "The Recycle Bin" and on my goodness are there ever some adorable crafts to make in this section. Im not sure if my husband will let me hang the sea creature mobile in our "ocean" themed bedroom but you better believe I am going to try!
The back of the book has templates for anything and everything you will need to complete the crafts in certain sections of the book with directions on what type of scissors to use and were to use them at. What percentage to enlarge what photo. Where to make a slit, what sections need to be overlapped, and where and what needs to be folded.
Jodie Levine has done an amazing job of mapping out exactly what you need to complete each craft, and step by step direction on how to create it. Jodie used to be on the staff of Martha Stewart Living magazine as a craft editor and once you get through this book you will clearly see that she was an amazing craft editor and that job suited her well.
Each craft comes with amazing photos by Amy Gropp Forbes. Each photo shows the craft in a way that makes you want to complete each one to see how cute your own will turn out.
I couldn't be happier with the selection of this book and cannot wait even more to start completing each one of these crafts with my daughter so we can both keep them as well as give them away.
If you and your children love crafts, this is the book for you! Paper Goods Projects by Jodi Levine is the ultimate fun craft heaven.
This book covers everything from toddler crafts that are super adorable to older children crafts that are cute enough to give away as gifts.
The first line of the Forward section had me hooked. "The first rule of crafting is Don't Drop the Glitter" If your husbands are anything like mine, spilled glitter is the end of the world. He despises glitter and any and all things that have to do with it. Of course that means I have to buy it in bulk and use it on every craft project that I do with my 4 year old daughter.
coffee filters and cupcake papers have their own section in this delightful book and you guessed it, its the first chapter! I have always wanted to try out some of the coffee filter crafts I see on pinterest but have not been brave enough. Now I have the tools to guide me through it with fool proof step by step directions. From flowers to cards and gift tags and a few things in between (I wont ruin the surprise for you) this book will have you seeking out the cutest cupcake papers in town. I mean, who would have though mini cupcake papers would make the cutest little dollhouse accessories?
If your household is anything like mine, there is always extra paper plates left over after parties that get put up in the top of the cupboard and shoved to the back where they are forgotten about. More are then purchased for the next party only to have them left over and added to the hidden stash once the party is over. Now that I have this amazing craft book, those left over hidden plates no longer have to stay stashed away. There are some amazingly adorable crafts that will use them up in no time. When party time comes around, there is always a need for dessert stands and none to be found. Now with all of those excess paper plates laying around, you can whip a few up in no time and proudly display all of your tasty treats to be gobbled up. Team those up with some fun paper plate masks for your party guests in the designs of lions, birds, or bunnies for the boys and perhaps some tiara's for the girls and you have a complete party set up made out of left over party supplies. Hard to go wrong with any of those ideas, especially when they come with detailed step by step directions and supply list.
Balloons...who doesn't love them? I know I do, well until they pop that is. My daughter loves to blow them up and promptly pop them and then just laugh and laugh. I am hoping that once we complete a few of the balloon crafts in this book she will no longer feel the need to do the popping stage. Pair a few balloons up with some dyed coffee filters, straws, paper plate or construction paper and you have the cutest little clown. lion, giraffe, ballerina, birds (I am in love with the birds) or planets. Follow that up with some cute little twisty letters to spell out words and you will be in balloon cuteness overload.
the last section of the book is "The Recycle Bin" and on my goodness are there ever some adorable crafts to make in this section. Im not sure if my husband will let me hang the sea creature mobile in our "ocean" themed bedroom but you better believe I am going to try!
The back of the book has templates for anything and everything you will need to complete the crafts in certain sections of the book with directions on what type of scissors to use and were to use them at. What percentage to enlarge what photo. Where to make a slit, what sections need to be overlapped, and where and what needs to be folded.
Jodie Levine has done an amazing job of mapping out exactly what you need to complete each craft, and step by step direction on how to create it. Jodie used to be on the staff of Martha Stewart Living magazine as a craft editor and once you get through this book you will clearly see that she was an amazing craft editor and that job suited her well.
Each craft comes with amazing photos by Amy Gropp Forbes. Each photo shows the craft in a way that makes you want to complete each one to see how cute your own will turn out.
I couldn't be happier with the selection of this book and cannot wait even more to start completing each one of these crafts with my daughter so we can both keep them as well as give them away.
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
marshmellow heaven
This latest book review is brought to you by the newest delivery from blogging for books. I have loved getting fun free books in the mail in exchange for reviewing them. The hardest part is always picking just one at a time to review!
This book had me drooling from the start! There is a lovely pink circle on the front cover that grabs your attention right away that says " 50 recipes for no-bake marshmallow treats" I have been wanting to make homemade marshmallows for two summers now and have yet to do it. I have zero excuses now!
This book is simply named TREAT. Doesn't get much better than that right there! There is a lovely photo of a rice crispy treat adorned with festive color sprinkles on top of it that is front and center on the cover of the book. Come on, who can resist that temptation! I certainly could not! Hence why I sit here writing this review of this very book.
95 pages of pure mouth watering deliciousness is what you will find bound within the pages of this very book. Stephanie Banyas knocks this book out of the park with what you find inside the covers. From the front cover to the back cover I found myself salivating with each page I turned. She could not have picked more delicious treats than what she did to include in the book. I mean, who can resist cream cheese home made marshmallows??? That may be the very first thing I attempt to concur!
The first chapter introduces marshmallows..vanilla, strawberry, chocolate and cream cheese are the variety you get to pick from. How do you choose what to attempt first? each recipe has a detailed list of the exact ingredients you will need to make these scrumptious little bites of fluff. These tasty little bites are made in 6-8 super easy steps that are lined out for you as well. It doesn't get much easier or better than this!
chapter two covers the "updated classics"
Toasted coconut treats, twenty first century treats, peanut butter-honey treats, toasted marshmallow treats, biscoff treats are just a few that are included in this section. Much like chapter one, each recipe in this section comes with a detailed ingredients list, measurements of each ingredient and step by step instructions so you simply cannot possibly mess up any of these delectable tasty treats.
What kind of book would this be if it did not have a chapter on tasty fruit concoctions? This one does for sure and it marks the bar pretty high in the must bake these tasty treats category!
you will find star shaped berry cobblers, strawberry lemonade treats (and not the liquid drinking kind!), key lime pie treats, raspberry cheesecake treats and lemon poppy seed treats. I'm a sucker for anything cheesecake so I'm thinking about substituting the key lime for the raspberries and testing out a little key lime cheesecake treat. I just cannot believe anything but deliciousness would ensure out of that combination! Yep you guessed it, instructions, step by step, ingredient list, measurements and all of that jazz are included in this section as well.
who can resist chocolate? certainly not me and I was excited to see a section devoted to chocolate all on its own. I've recently decided that I am a huge fan of mint and the second recipe in this chocolate section just so happens to include mint! ahhhhhh! mint chocolate treats. The only thing that could make this recipe any better would have been a photo to show what the finished product would look like. Purely so I could drool over it, of course. cookies and cream treats look fabulous, but then again when you pair up oreos and rice crispies how can you go wrong? This section will leave you hungry, I promise you of that. There are more recipes than just the two I mentioned but I will leave them as a surprise for you to check out. I cannot give away all of the secrets in this amazing tasty recipe book!
This book is wrapped up with the last section being Holiday Treats. All the favorites are included. Gingerbread, snickerdoodle, white chocolate cranberry, new York cherry cheesecake, and an added twist of chocolate potato chip treats. Im pretty sure that may be a new family tradition recipe. I mean come on, potato chips AND chocolate?? YUM! I wont give you the detailed instructions on how to make this (easy) delicious looking treat but if you purchase a copy of this book you will get them as well as all the others mentioned above. Are you ready to head to the book store yet?
The very last page is wrapped up with an index. A very detailed index at that.
From the front cover to the back cover this book is filled with amazing photos of delectable and delicious looking treats that are amazingly easy to prepare. I cannot suggest/recommend this book enough times. It is by far top notch quality and I promise you will not be disappointed in your purchase.
This book had me drooling from the start! There is a lovely pink circle on the front cover that grabs your attention right away that says " 50 recipes for no-bake marshmallow treats" I have been wanting to make homemade marshmallows for two summers now and have yet to do it. I have zero excuses now!
This book is simply named TREAT. Doesn't get much better than that right there! There is a lovely photo of a rice crispy treat adorned with festive color sprinkles on top of it that is front and center on the cover of the book. Come on, who can resist that temptation! I certainly could not! Hence why I sit here writing this review of this very book.
95 pages of pure mouth watering deliciousness is what you will find bound within the pages of this very book. Stephanie Banyas knocks this book out of the park with what you find inside the covers. From the front cover to the back cover I found myself salivating with each page I turned. She could not have picked more delicious treats than what she did to include in the book. I mean, who can resist cream cheese home made marshmallows??? That may be the very first thing I attempt to concur!
The first chapter introduces marshmallows..vanilla, strawberry, chocolate and cream cheese are the variety you get to pick from. How do you choose what to attempt first? each recipe has a detailed list of the exact ingredients you will need to make these scrumptious little bites of fluff. These tasty little bites are made in 6-8 super easy steps that are lined out for you as well. It doesn't get much easier or better than this!
chapter two covers the "updated classics"
Toasted coconut treats, twenty first century treats, peanut butter-honey treats, toasted marshmallow treats, biscoff treats are just a few that are included in this section. Much like chapter one, each recipe in this section comes with a detailed ingredients list, measurements of each ingredient and step by step instructions so you simply cannot possibly mess up any of these delectable tasty treats.
What kind of book would this be if it did not have a chapter on tasty fruit concoctions? This one does for sure and it marks the bar pretty high in the must bake these tasty treats category!
you will find star shaped berry cobblers, strawberry lemonade treats (and not the liquid drinking kind!), key lime pie treats, raspberry cheesecake treats and lemon poppy seed treats. I'm a sucker for anything cheesecake so I'm thinking about substituting the key lime for the raspberries and testing out a little key lime cheesecake treat. I just cannot believe anything but deliciousness would ensure out of that combination! Yep you guessed it, instructions, step by step, ingredient list, measurements and all of that jazz are included in this section as well.
who can resist chocolate? certainly not me and I was excited to see a section devoted to chocolate all on its own. I've recently decided that I am a huge fan of mint and the second recipe in this chocolate section just so happens to include mint! ahhhhhh! mint chocolate treats. The only thing that could make this recipe any better would have been a photo to show what the finished product would look like. Purely so I could drool over it, of course. cookies and cream treats look fabulous, but then again when you pair up oreos and rice crispies how can you go wrong? This section will leave you hungry, I promise you of that. There are more recipes than just the two I mentioned but I will leave them as a surprise for you to check out. I cannot give away all of the secrets in this amazing tasty recipe book!
This book is wrapped up with the last section being Holiday Treats. All the favorites are included. Gingerbread, snickerdoodle, white chocolate cranberry, new York cherry cheesecake, and an added twist of chocolate potato chip treats. Im pretty sure that may be a new family tradition recipe. I mean come on, potato chips AND chocolate?? YUM! I wont give you the detailed instructions on how to make this (easy) delicious looking treat but if you purchase a copy of this book you will get them as well as all the others mentioned above. Are you ready to head to the book store yet?
The very last page is wrapped up with an index. A very detailed index at that.
From the front cover to the back cover this book is filled with amazing photos of delectable and delicious looking treats that are amazingly easy to prepare. I cannot suggest/recommend this book enough times. It is by far top notch quality and I promise you will not be disappointed in your purchase.
Saturday, June 20, 2015
we all scream for ice cream
Summer is here and its time for some tasty ice cream delicious treats. what better way than homemade!
Today's book review is on the book "Big Gay Ice Cream" by Bryan Petroff and Douglas Quint and it came to me to review for free via Blogging for books.
I must say, when I saw this book title I was both curious and intrigued. I couldn't help but request it for a review. It is definitely not a children's book. There is some quite funny humor in this book but it is not child appropriate.
This book is laid out in a year book type of format with signatures and people writing notes to the authors. A few of the notes left say things like, "mister softee aint got nuthin on the big gay guys. They're the best thing to happen to soft serve since Viagra!" and "Dear bryan and doug thank goodness for your sweet sauces and toppings. They've gotten me through some tough times and make my day tastier" Some of the others had me literally belly laughing out loud.
This is the best book ever, just in case I have not said that yet!
The freshman year photos are adorned with everyone holding an ice cream cone amongst their other silly 80's attire.
The book starts off with the story of how the Big Gay Ice Cream truck came to be and just like the other parts of the book, the story is quite hilarious. I wont give any parts of it away because I want you to read it in its entirety on your own.
The list of items you will need to prepare your own ice cream does not disappoint. There are items such as Fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs, international and kisher foods, cookies cereals granola and pop tarts.....is your mind wandering yet as to what types of ice cream youre going to learn how to make in this book?
Equipment and tools that will be needed include items such as squeeze bottles, 1-quart plastic containers, funnels, microplanes, ice cream scoops, spreaders, coffee grinder, good sharp knives, French press, and juicer.....Im not even sure I know what some of these items are but im definitely going to find out!
Simple topping ideas that are suggested have me drooling all over the pages. Caramel, peanut brittle, honey and cayenne, jams and marmalades. How can any ice cream not be delicious with these items drizzled over the top of it!
the sophomore year section of the book has ice cream recipes included in it.
I cant wait to try toasted curried coconut. Two flavors that I would not normally pair together but for some reason the combination sounds quite tasty to me. Im certain that Whiskey Walnuts will be a favorite amongst any adult household that likes to have summer parties. And yes, whiskey is an ingredient in the making of this flavor. Pair this flavor with Bourbon butterscotch and everyone is sure to have fun!
The kids would be even more awesome after they have a few bowls full of awesomesauce flavored ice cream.
Junior year combines all of the years together and is a bit tacky and full of non children appropriate material. There are stories of items discovered in various ice cream trucks, none of which are things you want your children discovering! there are stories of people who have tasted and approved the various different ice cream concoctions, There are sundae recipes and the Mermaid sundae is on the top of my list to test out! Who doesn't want to eat anything that involves mermaids? I didn't read the ingredients list for the Gobbler sundae but it may or may not involve turkeys. Floats and shakes round up the junior year....Mexican coke, orange Fanta, grape crush, guiness beer, izze lime and sprechers root beer. The hardest decision im having is what order to try them out in.
Senior year is much like the other 3 years. Starts off with stories, photos (there have been amazingly fun and silly photos all the way throughout this book) This may be my favorite year of the book. Sorbet is my favorite form of ice cream and there are some mouth watering concoctions in this section. The very first recipe is concord grape. I am in love with anything that is grape flavored. This is on the must make list ASAP!
The book wraps up with an epilogue- senior year trip to ronnybrook and back again. A full story of the beginning to the end of the business that this book and its recipes are based on. Photos of being at the dairy plant and the fun that took place there.
acknowledgments and a few of our favorite things wrap up the last of the book just before the index that take up the last pages.
From the front cover and the first page of this book all the way through to the last page and the back cover of this book you will giggle, smile, belly laugh and want to share everything you read with all of your friends that have a sense of humor. I would be silly if I did not recommend this book to all the adults that I know for some great summer time treats, and yes some of the treats and recipes are indeed kid friendly, just don't let them read the pages before or after.
Today's book review is on the book "Big Gay Ice Cream" by Bryan Petroff and Douglas Quint and it came to me to review for free via Blogging for books.
I must say, when I saw this book title I was both curious and intrigued. I couldn't help but request it for a review. It is definitely not a children's book. There is some quite funny humor in this book but it is not child appropriate.
This book is laid out in a year book type of format with signatures and people writing notes to the authors. A few of the notes left say things like, "mister softee aint got nuthin on the big gay guys. They're the best thing to happen to soft serve since Viagra!" and "Dear bryan and doug thank goodness for your sweet sauces and toppings. They've gotten me through some tough times and make my day tastier" Some of the others had me literally belly laughing out loud.
This is the best book ever, just in case I have not said that yet!
The freshman year photos are adorned with everyone holding an ice cream cone amongst their other silly 80's attire.
The book starts off with the story of how the Big Gay Ice Cream truck came to be and just like the other parts of the book, the story is quite hilarious. I wont give any parts of it away because I want you to read it in its entirety on your own.
The list of items you will need to prepare your own ice cream does not disappoint. There are items such as Fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs, international and kisher foods, cookies cereals granola and pop tarts.....is your mind wandering yet as to what types of ice cream youre going to learn how to make in this book?
Equipment and tools that will be needed include items such as squeeze bottles, 1-quart plastic containers, funnels, microplanes, ice cream scoops, spreaders, coffee grinder, good sharp knives, French press, and juicer.....Im not even sure I know what some of these items are but im definitely going to find out!
Simple topping ideas that are suggested have me drooling all over the pages. Caramel, peanut brittle, honey and cayenne, jams and marmalades. How can any ice cream not be delicious with these items drizzled over the top of it!
the sophomore year section of the book has ice cream recipes included in it.
I cant wait to try toasted curried coconut. Two flavors that I would not normally pair together but for some reason the combination sounds quite tasty to me. Im certain that Whiskey Walnuts will be a favorite amongst any adult household that likes to have summer parties. And yes, whiskey is an ingredient in the making of this flavor. Pair this flavor with Bourbon butterscotch and everyone is sure to have fun!
The kids would be even more awesome after they have a few bowls full of awesomesauce flavored ice cream.
Junior year combines all of the years together and is a bit tacky and full of non children appropriate material. There are stories of items discovered in various ice cream trucks, none of which are things you want your children discovering! there are stories of people who have tasted and approved the various different ice cream concoctions, There are sundae recipes and the Mermaid sundae is on the top of my list to test out! Who doesn't want to eat anything that involves mermaids? I didn't read the ingredients list for the Gobbler sundae but it may or may not involve turkeys. Floats and shakes round up the junior year....Mexican coke, orange Fanta, grape crush, guiness beer, izze lime and sprechers root beer. The hardest decision im having is what order to try them out in.
Senior year is much like the other 3 years. Starts off with stories, photos (there have been amazingly fun and silly photos all the way throughout this book) This may be my favorite year of the book. Sorbet is my favorite form of ice cream and there are some mouth watering concoctions in this section. The very first recipe is concord grape. I am in love with anything that is grape flavored. This is on the must make list ASAP!
The book wraps up with an epilogue- senior year trip to ronnybrook and back again. A full story of the beginning to the end of the business that this book and its recipes are based on. Photos of being at the dairy plant and the fun that took place there.
acknowledgments and a few of our favorite things wrap up the last of the book just before the index that take up the last pages.
From the front cover and the first page of this book all the way through to the last page and the back cover of this book you will giggle, smile, belly laugh and want to share everything you read with all of your friends that have a sense of humor. I would be silly if I did not recommend this book to all the adults that I know for some great summer time treats, and yes some of the treats and recipes are indeed kid friendly, just don't let them read the pages before or after.
Saturday, May 16, 2015
squeeze the.....mayonnaise!
The wonderful people at Influenster picked me to sample and review the Hellmann's mayonnaise for free and review it.
im not usually a big mayonnaise fan for a few reasons. I truly dislike having to stick half my hand in the big jar with a knife to scoop out some mayonnaise. half my hand is usually covered with mayonnaise and that just grosses me out! With this new bottle that Hellmanns has brilliantly come up with, all you have to do is squeeze. GENIOUS! there is no mess, no hands getting goopy and no knife falling off the top of the open mayonnaise jar.
Im especially impressed with the fact that Hellmanns is committed to using cage free eggs in the making of this product. That alone may make me purchase this product on a regular basis. Im not much of a mayonnaise eater but I do enjoy macaroni salad and lets face the facts, you simply cannot eat macaroni salad without mayonnaise in it.
I highly suggest any and all of you give this product a good taste test, not only because it's made with quality ingredients but because the new squeeze bottle is simply to hard to pass up giving a good squeeze.
a baby food dream come true
Todays book review is brought to you by Blogging for Books free book "The amazing make-ahead baby food book" written by Lisa Barrangou, PhD
I am overjoyed to review this free book.
This is the cutest little book I have laid my hands on since my last book review. The front cover is adorned with delicious looking peach slices siting next to a glass jar full of pureed baby food. I wont lie, I would totally eat it myself, it looks so scrumptious! The rather peculiar thing about this book is that the pages inside are upside down and backwards from the orientation of the cover. I am not sure if this was a mix up or if it was intentionally done. It make me smile and takes absolutely nothing away from the contents of the book and the wonder that the pages inside hold.
The photographs in this book are mouth watering. Erin Scott did an amazing job with each one that she took. everything looks like you could just pick it right off the pages and eat it.
There are 6 steps in the make ahead strategy and this book guides you through each and every one of them.
step 1: select a menu of whole foods
step 2: prepare a shopping list
step 3: create space
step 4: shop for whole foods
step 5: create a mise en place plan
step 6: prepare baby food.
for all of you who though this was a hard and challenging process...it's easy!
Whole foods are really encouraged and pushed for the ingredients in this book. They are afterall, the best foods to be nurturing your babys body with. This book list nothing but the best of those whole foods from fruits to vegetables to legumes to grains. If you follow the guidelines of the book, its foolproof.
The first cooking sessions 1, 2 and 3 outline what to cook, how to cook it and how long to cook it along with how long to puree and or steam it. following that is an amazingly delicious three, yes I said three month menu and various ways to combine food together. What an amazing tool right at your fingertips!
Mix-in's. I never would have thought of these to, well, mix in! Yogurt, eggs, ground nuts and seeds, cheeses, meats and fish are just some of the suggestions. Of course there is a step by step method of how much to use and just how to mix it in. What an amazing way to expand your baby's taste pallet! The flavor compatibility guide is a genius addition to this book. I know I often get stumped when trying to come up with new combinations. there are literally hundreds of suggestions and ideas and every bit of it is good for your baby.
Chapter 3 talks about simple puree recipes. I rather enjoy this chapter of the book. sometimes I don't have the time to make 3 months of food ahead of time and just need a quick and simple recipe to get me through a few days. It would also be a great idea to try a few of these out before making a bulk supply of them in case its not a favorite. The author, Lisa Barrangou has literally though of everything in this book. In this section she has included a symbol guide for items that can be found frozen, part of the clean 15, are part of the dirty dozen list or has an edible skin that will not need to be peeled after ten to twelve months of age. She is simply amazing and has provided every bit of information to make this a painful and enjoyable process.
For those mommas with gluten free babies or who want to avoid it for other reasons, there is a recipe for gluten free whole grain cereal made from scratch.....I told you guys, she has thought of everything!
Chapter 4....combining puree recipes. Who would of though to combine spinach with bananas or curried squashed peas? I sure wouldn't have but reading some of these recipes is sure making me hungry! I may even be tempted to make some of these combinations for myself, unpureed of course.
Chapter 5 introduces finger foods and advanced meals for the older babies. homemade banana pancakes with mini chocolate chips just might have to be a breakfast menu item that is made soon in our home. How can your day go wrong when it is started with such wonderfully delicious food such as that! Cream fruit roll-ups are a bit deceiving. They are not the typical fruit roll up that you purchase in the store. These are made with a whole wheat tortilla filled with cream cheese and a fruit puree that is all rolled up and cut into finger food sized bites. I want to eat these myself, they look amazing! who wouldn't want to sneak a taste of some Gar-licky hummus dip!
This book is wrapped up with an appendix at the back of it. What kind of appendix you ask yourself, well none other than an "all about health" appendix. This appendix includes a wealth of background information on nutrients, digestive health, nitrate and mercury concerns, and special diets such as vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free. This book doesnt get any better!
I am overjoyed to review this free book.
This is the cutest little book I have laid my hands on since my last book review. The front cover is adorned with delicious looking peach slices siting next to a glass jar full of pureed baby food. I wont lie, I would totally eat it myself, it looks so scrumptious! The rather peculiar thing about this book is that the pages inside are upside down and backwards from the orientation of the cover. I am not sure if this was a mix up or if it was intentionally done. It make me smile and takes absolutely nothing away from the contents of the book and the wonder that the pages inside hold.
The photographs in this book are mouth watering. Erin Scott did an amazing job with each one that she took. everything looks like you could just pick it right off the pages and eat it.
There are 6 steps in the make ahead strategy and this book guides you through each and every one of them.
step 1: select a menu of whole foods
step 2: prepare a shopping list
step 3: create space
step 4: shop for whole foods
step 5: create a mise en place plan
step 6: prepare baby food.
for all of you who though this was a hard and challenging process...it's easy!
Whole foods are really encouraged and pushed for the ingredients in this book. They are afterall, the best foods to be nurturing your babys body with. This book list nothing but the best of those whole foods from fruits to vegetables to legumes to grains. If you follow the guidelines of the book, its foolproof.
The first cooking sessions 1, 2 and 3 outline what to cook, how to cook it and how long to cook it along with how long to puree and or steam it. following that is an amazingly delicious three, yes I said three month menu and various ways to combine food together. What an amazing tool right at your fingertips!
Mix-in's. I never would have thought of these to, well, mix in! Yogurt, eggs, ground nuts and seeds, cheeses, meats and fish are just some of the suggestions. Of course there is a step by step method of how much to use and just how to mix it in. What an amazing way to expand your baby's taste pallet! The flavor compatibility guide is a genius addition to this book. I know I often get stumped when trying to come up with new combinations. there are literally hundreds of suggestions and ideas and every bit of it is good for your baby.
Chapter 3 talks about simple puree recipes. I rather enjoy this chapter of the book. sometimes I don't have the time to make 3 months of food ahead of time and just need a quick and simple recipe to get me through a few days. It would also be a great idea to try a few of these out before making a bulk supply of them in case its not a favorite. The author, Lisa Barrangou has literally though of everything in this book. In this section she has included a symbol guide for items that can be found frozen, part of the clean 15, are part of the dirty dozen list or has an edible skin that will not need to be peeled after ten to twelve months of age. She is simply amazing and has provided every bit of information to make this a painful and enjoyable process.
For those mommas with gluten free babies or who want to avoid it for other reasons, there is a recipe for gluten free whole grain cereal made from scratch.....I told you guys, she has thought of everything!
Chapter 4....combining puree recipes. Who would of though to combine spinach with bananas or curried squashed peas? I sure wouldn't have but reading some of these recipes is sure making me hungry! I may even be tempted to make some of these combinations for myself, unpureed of course.
Chapter 5 introduces finger foods and advanced meals for the older babies. homemade banana pancakes with mini chocolate chips just might have to be a breakfast menu item that is made soon in our home. How can your day go wrong when it is started with such wonderfully delicious food such as that! Cream fruit roll-ups are a bit deceiving. They are not the typical fruit roll up that you purchase in the store. These are made with a whole wheat tortilla filled with cream cheese and a fruit puree that is all rolled up and cut into finger food sized bites. I want to eat these myself, they look amazing! who wouldn't want to sneak a taste of some Gar-licky hummus dip!
This book is wrapped up with an appendix at the back of it. What kind of appendix you ask yourself, well none other than an "all about health" appendix. This appendix includes a wealth of background information on nutrients, digestive health, nitrate and mercury concerns, and special diets such as vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free. This book doesnt get any better!
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Journaling through pregnancy...
I am excited to announce the newest book I received from blogging for books to blog about. This is the cutest little pregnancy planner and journal that I have seen in quite some time.
The cover is a sweet little blue with white circles and dots on it with a big circle in the middle to add a photo of your own into.
This book begins with a little congrats note regarding your sweet new bundle of joy, how adorable is that! It is then followed up with instructions on how to use the planner to get the most use out of it as well as including the website Thebump.com where you can add additional details that will not fit into the compact size of this book. What a great idea!
Important phone numbers, sections to write notes to your baby, prenatal text descriptions and explanations as to why they are necessary and a section to record your doctor visits are all some of the pages that are laid out leading up to your pouch for keepsakes throughout your first trimester.
Baby bump photos, the size of your baby, a section to record your reaction, thoughts and feelings regarding finding out you were expecting, Things to stop doing, things to start doing, what to eat, what not to eat, suggested questions for the OB at your next visit, due date chart and some wonderful exercise suggestions are what you will find leading up to your pouch for the second trimester keepsakes.
Maternity leave information, child care; daycare versus choosing a nanny, classes you should take to prepare for baby and the size of your baby.....sweet potato, mango, banana, papaya and grapefruit are all comparable sizes for week 18 through week 22.
This section also has a page for your mid-pregnancy ultrasound photo and all the great information that came along with getting it done. Baby shower planning, do's and don'ts and gender reveals, baby registry item suggestions. This is a great list that covers just about every angle of every item needed for that sweet bundle of joy. nursery decorating suggestions, baby proofing suggestions, baby kick log, and another page for a little letter to your sweet baby are some of the things included leading up to the third trimester goody pouch.
The last section of the book does not include a little keepsake pouch but it does include things such as, what to pack in your hospital bag, birth planning and every possible option that comes along with that, Questions for the hospital, signs of labor and all the stages that come along with it.
The last pages are dedicated to your sweet baby...first days, bringing them home, photos, check up's, feeding tracker and gift logs.
This book is smaller on size but packed full of priceless information, suggestions and ideas. It's the perfect size to fit into a purse or diaper bag and have with you at all times. I will purchase this for all of my soon to be mommy friends, and let me tell you, right now that is quite a few!
The cover is a sweet little blue with white circles and dots on it with a big circle in the middle to add a photo of your own into.
This book begins with a little congrats note regarding your sweet new bundle of joy, how adorable is that! It is then followed up with instructions on how to use the planner to get the most use out of it as well as including the website Thebump.com where you can add additional details that will not fit into the compact size of this book. What a great idea!
Important phone numbers, sections to write notes to your baby, prenatal text descriptions and explanations as to why they are necessary and a section to record your doctor visits are all some of the pages that are laid out leading up to your pouch for keepsakes throughout your first trimester.
Baby bump photos, the size of your baby, a section to record your reaction, thoughts and feelings regarding finding out you were expecting, Things to stop doing, things to start doing, what to eat, what not to eat, suggested questions for the OB at your next visit, due date chart and some wonderful exercise suggestions are what you will find leading up to your pouch for the second trimester keepsakes.
Maternity leave information, child care; daycare versus choosing a nanny, classes you should take to prepare for baby and the size of your baby.....sweet potato, mango, banana, papaya and grapefruit are all comparable sizes for week 18 through week 22.
This section also has a page for your mid-pregnancy ultrasound photo and all the great information that came along with getting it done. Baby shower planning, do's and don'ts and gender reveals, baby registry item suggestions. This is a great list that covers just about every angle of every item needed for that sweet bundle of joy. nursery decorating suggestions, baby proofing suggestions, baby kick log, and another page for a little letter to your sweet baby are some of the things included leading up to the third trimester goody pouch.
The last section of the book does not include a little keepsake pouch but it does include things such as, what to pack in your hospital bag, birth planning and every possible option that comes along with that, Questions for the hospital, signs of labor and all the stages that come along with it.
The last pages are dedicated to your sweet baby...first days, bringing them home, photos, check up's, feeding tracker and gift logs.
This book is smaller on size but packed full of priceless information, suggestions and ideas. It's the perfect size to fit into a purse or diaper bag and have with you at all times. I will purchase this for all of my soon to be mommy friends, and let me tell you, right now that is quite a few!
Thursday, April 2, 2015
point, click, shoot
I have never been so excited to receive a free book as I was this last book from blogging for books.
I have always enjoyed taking photographs and have really taught myself along the way but there is so much I have no clue about. I really have no idea what most of the settings on my camera are for or what they do when used. It's amazing that any of my pictures actually turn out!
This book review is on John Shaw's Guide to Digital Nature Photography.
Let me just start off by saying that this book is RAD!
This book starts off with the contents page that is sectioned off into 6 different categories that cover literally everything from your gear to composition to what John Shaw uses himself personally.
John includes both information for Cannon AND Nikon cameras. That in itself is great information. Everyone has their own preference on what brand of camera they like to use. I myself prefer a Cannon but I know several photographer friends who really do love their Nikon cameras.
each section is detailed things like shutter speed, aperture, ISO (which is something I desperately need help to understand) manual exposure and when to use it and how to use it.
This book covers everything you need to know to operate your camera and or to keep your knowledge up to date.
My favorite part of the book is that he includes photos on almost every page and off to the side of the photo is a little section that explains what the photo is of, what camera he used and all the settings on the camera when the photo was taken. Now to someone who understands all that lingo, that information is pretty darn important.
After reading this book cover to cover there is no doubt that you will be ready to pick up your camera and be ready to go shoot some amazing photos of the great outdoors and all of the beauty that she provides on a daily basis.
I have always enjoyed taking photographs and have really taught myself along the way but there is so much I have no clue about. I really have no idea what most of the settings on my camera are for or what they do when used. It's amazing that any of my pictures actually turn out!
This book review is on John Shaw's Guide to Digital Nature Photography.
Let me just start off by saying that this book is RAD!
This book starts off with the contents page that is sectioned off into 6 different categories that cover literally everything from your gear to composition to what John Shaw uses himself personally.
John includes both information for Cannon AND Nikon cameras. That in itself is great information. Everyone has their own preference on what brand of camera they like to use. I myself prefer a Cannon but I know several photographer friends who really do love their Nikon cameras.
each section is detailed things like shutter speed, aperture, ISO (which is something I desperately need help to understand) manual exposure and when to use it and how to use it.
This book covers everything you need to know to operate your camera and or to keep your knowledge up to date.
My favorite part of the book is that he includes photos on almost every page and off to the side of the photo is a little section that explains what the photo is of, what camera he used and all the settings on the camera when the photo was taken. Now to someone who understands all that lingo, that information is pretty darn important.
After reading this book cover to cover there is no doubt that you will be ready to pick up your camera and be ready to go shoot some amazing photos of the great outdoors and all of the beauty that she provides on a daily basis.
Saturday, March 14, 2015
who knew eating healthy was so darn delicious!
I am completely in love with my latest book from blogging for books! I am so thankful that I signed up with them to receive free books in exchange for a review.
I have been gluten free for about 6 years now. The transition was really hard at first as everything has gluten in it, or so I though! The Paleo Chef written by Pete Evans is simply AMAZING! Have I already said that I'm in love with this book?
Over the years I have come across cook books that have had a few recipes in it that I would find appealing and think about making but could never bring myself to buy the book for just one or two of the recipes. This book has not one single thing in it that I would not eat!
We are a big fish eating family because we live in the north west and the ocean is close and full of tasty fish that we like to catch. :) Finding new and creative ways to cook the fish is the biggest challenge but this cook book has a few varieties that will knock your socks off. I am eagerly awaiting a time to give the Fish & Chips recipe a try. How can you go wrong with Macadamia nuts, unsweetened shredded dried coconut, fresh parsley, tapioca flour and eggs mixed together and topped on your fish fillets??? right? now you are leaking from the mouth too aren't ya?!
I used to love eating hamburgers but once you take the tasty gluten filled bun out of the equations and you have a boring burger wrapped in lettuce that leaks juice all over your hands. well, the Paleo Chef has a simply and tasty solution to that pesky little bun issue.......are you ready for this.....A delicious portabello mushroom! yes, you read that right! How in the world did I not think of this! Pete Evans pairs this tasty bun up with a burger compiled of coconut oil, ground beef chuck, yellow onion, eggs, garlic, fresh mint, red peppers, dried oregano and nitrate free bacon. Oh my goodness, I never thought eating healthy could be so delightfully delicious!
each one of these amazing mouth watering recipes is completed with a photograph that will leave you wanting to eat the pages of this book, step by step instructions of how to put the tasty meal together, the ingredients needed and the correct amounts of each and a sweet little story to go along with his first memory of the meal and why he chose it to be included in this book.
I have never before been so excited to eat something so darn healthy and yes, I know you are all wanting to know.....He DOES include dessert recipes as well! squeal! The "strawberry bliss balls" look to be just that....bliss!
Are you wondering who this Pete Evans guy is and how in the world he has compiled a book full of such tasty, mouth watering, delectable foods? Well he is an award winning international chef, seeker, and father. He recently made his debut in the United States as host on a wonderful show on PBS called The Moveable Feast. He graduated from New Yorks institute for integrative nutrition, he is a health coach and an enthusiastic supporter of the paleo movement. I for one am thankful that he is! He is also on a mission to revolutionize the way we eat and live and I for one and thankful for that too!
I guarantee that you will not be sorry you purchased this cookbook! The cover is adorned with the adorable Pete Evans himself. (yes, he really is adorable) Once you open the cover of the book you are greeted with wonderful words from Mr Evans himself. He talks about how and why he chose the Paleo lifestyle, the research he did to come up with the best way possible to live the Paleo lifestyle, the kinds of foods to eat and drink, what NOT to eat, how to find the balance with the ever challenging omega fatty acids and my three favorites, restoring your rest and bliss, breathe deeply and move often outdoors and learn lots and think POSITIVELY! This man truly has a way with words that make you want to smile and feel good about yourself. He then moves on to talk about the ingredients that are used in the Paleo diet lifestyle and why they are used. This man is a wealth of information and knowledge!
Each meal group is covered in this book from Hazelnut & banana pancakes at breakfast to Cauliflower rice for a snack. (I cant wait to try this, is simply sounds amazingly delicious!) Chorizo & Seafood Paella would be amazing for lunch or dinner as would the Lamb Liver Kebabs. I promise that you will drool over the Pomegranate & Coconut Popsicles or the Chocolate Brownies for dessert. Some of this stuff simply does not look healthy or good for you, it looks irrestible!
The book is finished off the some "basic" recipes such as vegetable, fish, chicken and beef stock, mayonnaise (I don't know about you but I refuse to eat the store bought stuff so this was an amazing find!) Curry paste, the red and the yellow varieties, whipped coconut cream, paleo vanilla ice cream and vanilla marshmallows. Remember earlier when I said that some of this doesn't sound healthy, those last three "basics" were a good example of that statement but I certainly cannot wait to test them out!
'
The last few pages, of course are an index. I love it when cook books include this so that i'm not flipping through page after page looking for the recipe I have my heart set on to cook that night.
Now that I have your mouth watering, head to the store or pull up the online shopping forum you like best and order this book!
I have been gluten free for about 6 years now. The transition was really hard at first as everything has gluten in it, or so I though! The Paleo Chef written by Pete Evans is simply AMAZING! Have I already said that I'm in love with this book?
Over the years I have come across cook books that have had a few recipes in it that I would find appealing and think about making but could never bring myself to buy the book for just one or two of the recipes. This book has not one single thing in it that I would not eat!
We are a big fish eating family because we live in the north west and the ocean is close and full of tasty fish that we like to catch. :) Finding new and creative ways to cook the fish is the biggest challenge but this cook book has a few varieties that will knock your socks off. I am eagerly awaiting a time to give the Fish & Chips recipe a try. How can you go wrong with Macadamia nuts, unsweetened shredded dried coconut, fresh parsley, tapioca flour and eggs mixed together and topped on your fish fillets??? right? now you are leaking from the mouth too aren't ya?!
I used to love eating hamburgers but once you take the tasty gluten filled bun out of the equations and you have a boring burger wrapped in lettuce that leaks juice all over your hands. well, the Paleo Chef has a simply and tasty solution to that pesky little bun issue.......are you ready for this.....A delicious portabello mushroom! yes, you read that right! How in the world did I not think of this! Pete Evans pairs this tasty bun up with a burger compiled of coconut oil, ground beef chuck, yellow onion, eggs, garlic, fresh mint, red peppers, dried oregano and nitrate free bacon. Oh my goodness, I never thought eating healthy could be so delightfully delicious!
each one of these amazing mouth watering recipes is completed with a photograph that will leave you wanting to eat the pages of this book, step by step instructions of how to put the tasty meal together, the ingredients needed and the correct amounts of each and a sweet little story to go along with his first memory of the meal and why he chose it to be included in this book.
I have never before been so excited to eat something so darn healthy and yes, I know you are all wanting to know.....He DOES include dessert recipes as well! squeal! The "strawberry bliss balls" look to be just that....bliss!
Are you wondering who this Pete Evans guy is and how in the world he has compiled a book full of such tasty, mouth watering, delectable foods? Well he is an award winning international chef, seeker, and father. He recently made his debut in the United States as host on a wonderful show on PBS called The Moveable Feast. He graduated from New Yorks institute for integrative nutrition, he is a health coach and an enthusiastic supporter of the paleo movement. I for one am thankful that he is! He is also on a mission to revolutionize the way we eat and live and I for one and thankful for that too!
I guarantee that you will not be sorry you purchased this cookbook! The cover is adorned with the adorable Pete Evans himself. (yes, he really is adorable) Once you open the cover of the book you are greeted with wonderful words from Mr Evans himself. He talks about how and why he chose the Paleo lifestyle, the research he did to come up with the best way possible to live the Paleo lifestyle, the kinds of foods to eat and drink, what NOT to eat, how to find the balance with the ever challenging omega fatty acids and my three favorites, restoring your rest and bliss, breathe deeply and move often outdoors and learn lots and think POSITIVELY! This man truly has a way with words that make you want to smile and feel good about yourself. He then moves on to talk about the ingredients that are used in the Paleo diet lifestyle and why they are used. This man is a wealth of information and knowledge!
Each meal group is covered in this book from Hazelnut & banana pancakes at breakfast to Cauliflower rice for a snack. (I cant wait to try this, is simply sounds amazingly delicious!) Chorizo & Seafood Paella would be amazing for lunch or dinner as would the Lamb Liver Kebabs. I promise that you will drool over the Pomegranate & Coconut Popsicles or the Chocolate Brownies for dessert. Some of this stuff simply does not look healthy or good for you, it looks irrestible!
The book is finished off the some "basic" recipes such as vegetable, fish, chicken and beef stock, mayonnaise (I don't know about you but I refuse to eat the store bought stuff so this was an amazing find!) Curry paste, the red and the yellow varieties, whipped coconut cream, paleo vanilla ice cream and vanilla marshmallows. Remember earlier when I said that some of this doesn't sound healthy, those last three "basics" were a good example of that statement but I certainly cannot wait to test them out!
'
The last few pages, of course are an index. I love it when cook books include this so that i'm not flipping through page after page looking for the recipe I have my heart set on to cook that night.
Now that I have your mouth watering, head to the store or pull up the online shopping forum you like best and order this book!
Sunday, February 22, 2015
I have never wanted to eat so much after reviewing a book!
The latest book I received free from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review was "In Her Kitchen, Stories and recipes from Grandmas Around the World" by Gabriele Galimberti
I have never wanted to eat so much food at one time as I did going through this book. Every page of this book has something that is mouth watering and scrumptious looking! Every continent is covered, with a delightful food. Every dish in this book is accompanied with a photo of the amazing woman who provided the recipe along with a photo of what ingredients went into making the dish. My favorite part of the whole book is that there is a little story provided by the editor as to where, when and how he met each amazing lady.
The book starts off with a map of the world with a little page number on each location that has a dish featured within the pages of the book. There is also a table of contents, which lists each lady's name, where she is from and the delicious dish she is sharing with us.
I truly enjoyed reading the introduction and by the time I had finished reading it, felt like I really knew Gabriele Galimberti. I loved the way he talked about his grandmother, whom of which this book is dedicated to. I enjoyed the story of him sitting down to lunch with her, telling her the news that he was going to embark on a 2 year journey across the world that would land him in 50 countries. Her main concern with this trip was what he was going to eat along the way.
Gabriele's photos in this book are stunning and capture each woman in her own surroundings, her own kitchen, wearing her everyday clothing and doing what she loves to do.....cook. The food photos leave me hungry after viewing each one. I really like how each dish is accompanied with a photo of the finished product. It's nice to know what my finished product should look like when I duplicate the recipe, and I fully plan to try and test out each and every one! Okay, maybe not the Finkubala (caterpillars in tomato sauce)from Mchinji, Malawi, but the Prawn Pirao (garlic prawns with rice) from France, the Soto Betawi (beef soup with coconut and vegetables) from Jakarta, Indonesia; look and sound delicious and will be amongst the first I try!
Each dish featured is healthy and full of vegetables. Delish!
The book is ended with a wonderful heartfelt acknowledgements section, where Gabriele first thanks his grandma, family, all grandmothers in the book and all of their families. That heart, love and dedication to family alone makes me want to purchase every book he has ever produced.
I have never wanted to eat so much food at one time as I did going through this book. Every page of this book has something that is mouth watering and scrumptious looking! Every continent is covered, with a delightful food. Every dish in this book is accompanied with a photo of the amazing woman who provided the recipe along with a photo of what ingredients went into making the dish. My favorite part of the whole book is that there is a little story provided by the editor as to where, when and how he met each amazing lady.
The book starts off with a map of the world with a little page number on each location that has a dish featured within the pages of the book. There is also a table of contents, which lists each lady's name, where she is from and the delicious dish she is sharing with us.
I truly enjoyed reading the introduction and by the time I had finished reading it, felt like I really knew Gabriele Galimberti. I loved the way he talked about his grandmother, whom of which this book is dedicated to. I enjoyed the story of him sitting down to lunch with her, telling her the news that he was going to embark on a 2 year journey across the world that would land him in 50 countries. Her main concern with this trip was what he was going to eat along the way.
Gabriele's photos in this book are stunning and capture each woman in her own surroundings, her own kitchen, wearing her everyday clothing and doing what she loves to do.....cook. The food photos leave me hungry after viewing each one. I really like how each dish is accompanied with a photo of the finished product. It's nice to know what my finished product should look like when I duplicate the recipe, and I fully plan to try and test out each and every one! Okay, maybe not the Finkubala (caterpillars in tomato sauce)from Mchinji, Malawi, but the Prawn Pirao (garlic prawns with rice) from France, the Soto Betawi (beef soup with coconut and vegetables) from Jakarta, Indonesia; look and sound delicious and will be amongst the first I try!
Each dish featured is healthy and full of vegetables. Delish!
The book is ended with a wonderful heartfelt acknowledgements section, where Gabriele first thanks his grandma, family, all grandmothers in the book and all of their families. That heart, love and dedication to family alone makes me want to purchase every book he has ever produced.
Friday, January 2, 2015
lions, tigers, bears, oh my.....and knitting needles.
A few days before Christmas I received the latest book from Blogging for books to review.
This is the cutest craft book ever! It's called "Gramma Nancy's animal hats (and booties, too!) by Nancy Nielsen and foreworded by Vanna White.
First I have to say that the cover of this book is the cutest darn thing ever! It has two babies on the front with crocheted chicken hats and booties on. They are in front of a yellow picket fence to round out the barn theme to go with their accessories. ADORABLE!
If you like to knit, this is the book you need! It has step by step instructions on how to make hats, fingerless gloves, socks, and animal faces. They take you through each step to making and assembling the animal faces for all the hats with worded instructions as well as illustrated instructions with photos.
Within the pages of this book you get to choose from
The back of the book has felt templates for the bootie paw prints. (they think of everything!)
Each pattern is accompanied with a finished product modeled by a sweet and utterly adorable baby. That alone is worth the purchase of the book in my opinion.
The back of the book has an index that is pretty amazing. You can look up any hat by any key word that is related to it and you will be directed to the right page to get you knitting right away.
My heart strings blossomed when I was reading the acknowledgements in the back of the book and seeing all the people that the author gave a special thanks to, but the very last paragraph is what made me smile and feel good inside.
The authors aunt became a patron of Danny Thomas St. Jude Children's Research Hospital the same year she taught Nancy to knit. This just so happens to be Vanna White's favorite charity as well and if you purchase "Vanna's Coice yarns" a portion of the sales from each skein of yarn that is bought is donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. How can you pass up an amazing book that also encourages you to purchase materials that go to help children. This is definitely one of the best $18.99 that I have spent in a very long time!
Now where are my knitting needles??
This is the cutest craft book ever! It's called "Gramma Nancy's animal hats (and booties, too!) by Nancy Nielsen and foreworded by Vanna White.
First I have to say that the cover of this book is the cutest darn thing ever! It has two babies on the front with crocheted chicken hats and booties on. They are in front of a yellow picket fence to round out the barn theme to go with their accessories. ADORABLE!
If you like to knit, this is the book you need! It has step by step instructions on how to make hats, fingerless gloves, socks, and animal faces. They take you through each step to making and assembling the animal faces for all the hats with worded instructions as well as illustrated instructions with photos.
Within the pages of this book you get to choose from
- rolled brim hats
- earflap hats
- fingerless handsies
- The forest favorites collection; which include bear, beaver, fox, owl, rabbit and toad
- The Jungle Jubilee; which includes monkey, fish, lion, elephant, panda and turtle.
- The Barnyard Buddies; which include cat, chicken, bluebird, dog, duck, lamb, and pig.
The back of the book has felt templates for the bootie paw prints. (they think of everything!)
Each pattern is accompanied with a finished product modeled by a sweet and utterly adorable baby. That alone is worth the purchase of the book in my opinion.
The back of the book has an index that is pretty amazing. You can look up any hat by any key word that is related to it and you will be directed to the right page to get you knitting right away.
My heart strings blossomed when I was reading the acknowledgements in the back of the book and seeing all the people that the author gave a special thanks to, but the very last paragraph is what made me smile and feel good inside.
The authors aunt became a patron of Danny Thomas St. Jude Children's Research Hospital the same year she taught Nancy to knit. This just so happens to be Vanna White's favorite charity as well and if you purchase "Vanna's Coice yarns" a portion of the sales from each skein of yarn that is bought is donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. How can you pass up an amazing book that also encourages you to purchase materials that go to help children. This is definitely one of the best $18.99 that I have spent in a very long time!
Now where are my knitting needles??
Saturday, December 27, 2014
coffee with a sweet surprise
Side note right off the bat: I got a free sample from Smiley360 and am posting my review for them.
Some of the best parts of my day is drinking my daily coffee. Morning, early afternoon and sometimes late afternoon - a cup of coffee can be found in my hands. My preference is quick and flavorful coffees. I own a Keurig (brews coffee fast!) and I routinely add flavor creamer to my coffee unless we are out of creamer and then I revert back to my days in the fire department and just add a little cold water to cool it down.
I'm very familiar with both the Nescafe and Coffee-mate brands having used their products for many years. Getting to try the French Vanilla Powder was exciting to me so I made a cup less than 10 minutes after the mailman dropped off the package.
I enjoyed how quick it was to make - just add water!, flavorful, sweet, a good amount of caffeine. This is wonderful in the mornings when I am stumbling out to the kitchen not fully awake to brew a cup of coffee to take back to the shower with me.
This isn't only an instant coffee, it's instant with sweetener and creamer already added so it's very quick to make. The taste is very sweet so if you're not used to having super sweet coffee, this may be more of a "con" than a "pro". The caffeine must be pretty decent since it got me out of my afternoon slump in record time.
The only negative thing I can find about this product is the after taste I was left with when I finished off my cup but drinking a glass of water got rid of most of that unpleasantness.
overall, This won't replace my regular coffee and creamer routine but it's a nice thing to have in the cabinet as backup when I run out of my usual coffee or to keep in my car for a mid afternoon on the go cold coffee. This may also be a good addition to regular coffee in place of creamer for an added caffeine boost! I would recommend this to most people to keep on hand for back up or for those guests who drink coffee while the regular occupants of the home don't.
Some of the best parts of my day is drinking my daily coffee. Morning, early afternoon and sometimes late afternoon - a cup of coffee can be found in my hands. My preference is quick and flavorful coffees. I own a Keurig (brews coffee fast!) and I routinely add flavor creamer to my coffee unless we are out of creamer and then I revert back to my days in the fire department and just add a little cold water to cool it down.
I'm very familiar with both the Nescafe and Coffee-mate brands having used their products for many years. Getting to try the French Vanilla Powder was exciting to me so I made a cup less than 10 minutes after the mailman dropped off the package.
I enjoyed how quick it was to make - just add water!, flavorful, sweet, a good amount of caffeine. This is wonderful in the mornings when I am stumbling out to the kitchen not fully awake to brew a cup of coffee to take back to the shower with me.
This isn't only an instant coffee, it's instant with sweetener and creamer already added so it's very quick to make. The taste is very sweet so if you're not used to having super sweet coffee, this may be more of a "con" than a "pro". The caffeine must be pretty decent since it got me out of my afternoon slump in record time.
The only negative thing I can find about this product is the after taste I was left with when I finished off my cup but drinking a glass of water got rid of most of that unpleasantness.
overall, This won't replace my regular coffee and creamer routine but it's a nice thing to have in the cabinet as backup when I run out of my usual coffee or to keep in my car for a mid afternoon on the go cold coffee. This may also be a good addition to regular coffee in place of creamer for an added caffeine boost! I would recommend this to most people to keep on hand for back up or for those guests who drink coffee while the regular occupants of the home don't.
Sunday, November 30, 2014
christmas spirt and love
From the fist page read of the book The 13th Gift by Joanne Huist Smith I was hooked. The author draws you in instantly with what feels like you are reading about your own family and the daily trials and tribulations of getting yourself out the door on time for work as well as your children out the door on time for school. Once you get hooked in that first page you soon learn the real struggle is the passing of the husband/father in the story. The book chronicles trying to deal with finding your Christmas spirit while also trying to deal with the first Christmas without your husband and father. In the beginning Joanne had no idea how she was going to keep life together for herself and her kids. She had no Christmas spirit and the memories of past Christmas' with her husband haunted her instead of bringing her comfort. Megan, Ben and Nick were each struggling in their own ways of dealing with Christmas coming and missing their dad. It wasn't until a gift appeared on their front porch 13 days before Christmas that things slowly started to change. Everyday for 13 days a new gift arrived and against all odds, brought this struggling family together in their darkest of time as they tried to figure out who was leaving the gifts. The family started new traditions, added twists to old ones and the kids figured out how to honor their dad while making new memories on their first Christmas without him. Joanne wasn't sure she wanted the first give but each day as a new gift was discovered she began to look forward to them and they slowly began to show her what the true meaning of Christmas was about. In the days before Christmas she began to life fully again and make this Christmas the best one her children had ever had while healing their hearts in the process.
The book concludes with Joanne and her middle child Nick, meeting with the gift givers some 10 years later and learning why they lleft the gifts and who they were honoring by doing so. Finding this out changed both of their lives and they decided to start a similar tradition of their own.
I honestly could not put this book down once I started reading it. I laughed, I cried and I felt like I was a part of this grieving family as I turned each page. The emotions are real and the author does an amazing job of pulling you in and creating a way for you to feel the words on the page as you read them. upon completion of the story, I read the notes about the editor and found out she based this book and the events in it on her own life, her personal experiences and her heartache. This book helped her heal and move forward and I for one am thankful she wrote it. I was inspired to help bring the Christmas spirit to others after I read it. I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone!
I couldn't have been more blessed to receive this book from blogging for books to read and review for free. I will pass this book along to others with the instructions that once they finish it they pass it along to someone else. This book should definitely be read my others.....many, many, many other people.
The book concludes with Joanne and her middle child Nick, meeting with the gift givers some 10 years later and learning why they lleft the gifts and who they were honoring by doing so. Finding this out changed both of their lives and they decided to start a similar tradition of their own.
I honestly could not put this book down once I started reading it. I laughed, I cried and I felt like I was a part of this grieving family as I turned each page. The emotions are real and the author does an amazing job of pulling you in and creating a way for you to feel the words on the page as you read them. upon completion of the story, I read the notes about the editor and found out she based this book and the events in it on her own life, her personal experiences and her heartache. This book helped her heal and move forward and I for one am thankful she wrote it. I was inspired to help bring the Christmas spirit to others after I read it. I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone!
I couldn't have been more blessed to receive this book from blogging for books to read and review for free. I will pass this book along to others with the instructions that once they finish it they pass it along to someone else. This book should definitely be read my others.....many, many, many other people.
Sunday, October 26, 2014
A little "Furry Logic" never hurt anyone.
Over the weekend I received my third book to review from Blogging for Books. I do have to say that I think this one is my favorite so far.
Furry Logic; a guide to life's little challenges by Jane Seabrook.
It has the sweetest little kitty face on the front of it and to be honest, that little kitty face is what drew me in to choose this book to review.
The book is filled page after page with some of the cutest little animal art that I have ever seen. Each little animal is accompanied by a funny little quote. I love the one that says "you'll always be my best friend.....you know to much. ha!
There is all to much truth behind the quote that states "The quickest way for a parent to get a child's attention.....is to sit down and look comfortable." every word of this is true. I experience this daily with my three year old daughter. I couldn't help but think of her and smile when I came across this page. The quote is paired up with a momma and baby penguin. Simply beautifully put together.
This book is sure to make anyone smile who looks through it. It would make a wonderful gift for those young or old, in heart or age.
Furry Logic; a guide to life's little challenges by Jane Seabrook.
It has the sweetest little kitty face on the front of it and to be honest, that little kitty face is what drew me in to choose this book to review.
The book is filled page after page with some of the cutest little animal art that I have ever seen. Each little animal is accompanied by a funny little quote. I love the one that says "you'll always be my best friend.....you know to much. ha!
There is all to much truth behind the quote that states "The quickest way for a parent to get a child's attention.....is to sit down and look comfortable." every word of this is true. I experience this daily with my three year old daughter. I couldn't help but think of her and smile when I came across this page. The quote is paired up with a momma and baby penguin. Simply beautifully put together.
This book is sure to make anyone smile who looks through it. It would make a wonderful gift for those young or old, in heart or age.
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
everyone loves a dino
From the moment I pulled this book out of the package I was instantly hooked and drawn in. The bright yellow and blue on the cover drew my eyes right to it and the soft cover beneath my hands had me ready to open the book instantly.
As I flipped through this book for the first time I was delighted and yet amazed to see the vast variety of dinosaurs (150 pages of them!) waiting for you to learn how to draw every detail of them.
The amazing thing about this book is not just the fun drawing instructions but also the little facts they snuck into it. They have little facts thrown into the drawing instructions as well as the meaning of each dinosaur you get to learn how to draw.
The instructions start out very basic and by the time you have completed your drawing, you have added every last detail to make your masterpiece perfect and precise.
My daughter is three and was very excited when this book arrived as well. She flipped through the pages naming the ones she knew and deciding on which one she was going to try and tackle first. She giggled at the silly looking ones and was thankful that the scary looking ones were just drawings.
I was beyond happy to review this book as a courtesy of Blogging For Books and even more happy to have a book that not only brings joy to my daughter when she flips through it but also teaches her the facts of the long ago creatures that are still so loved today.
As I flipped through this book for the first time I was delighted and yet amazed to see the vast variety of dinosaurs (150 pages of them!) waiting for you to learn how to draw every detail of them.
The amazing thing about this book is not just the fun drawing instructions but also the little facts they snuck into it. They have little facts thrown into the drawing instructions as well as the meaning of each dinosaur you get to learn how to draw.
The instructions start out very basic and by the time you have completed your drawing, you have added every last detail to make your masterpiece perfect and precise.
My daughter is three and was very excited when this book arrived as well. She flipped through the pages naming the ones she knew and deciding on which one she was going to try and tackle first. She giggled at the silly looking ones and was thankful that the scary looking ones were just drawings.
I was beyond happy to review this book as a courtesy of Blogging For Books and even more happy to have a book that not only brings joy to my daughter when she flips through it but also teaches her the facts of the long ago creatures that are still so loved today.
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
ready.....set......lets get crafting
My first book to review showed up on my doorstep today. I am just excited and thrilled to receive this amazing book today from Blogging for Books to review. I opened it up right away and am already plotting some great craft ideas
This book is full of sturdy stencils of the upper and lower case alphabet as well as some fun whimsical designs that will be fun to explore and play around with. The cardboard of the stencils is very sturdy and seems to be durable for multiple uses.
The book also starts off with a paragraph on how to use this book and is then followed with several pages of different craft projects and a list of the items needed to complete the project as well as tips on getting the project started.
I see some amazing fun crafts being created at the hands of this book! I cant wait to show you all what we come up with!
This book is full of sturdy stencils of the upper and lower case alphabet as well as some fun whimsical designs that will be fun to explore and play around with. The cardboard of the stencils is very sturdy and seems to be durable for multiple uses.
The book also starts off with a paragraph on how to use this book and is then followed with several pages of different craft projects and a list of the items needed to complete the project as well as tips on getting the project started.
I see some amazing fun crafts being created at the hands of this book! I cant wait to show you all what we come up with!
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Just a little fluff
A while ago I had my husband purchase the INSANITY dvd set in the intention of using them faithfully. I used them faithfully alright, faithfully to collect dust on the shelf in my garage. Today I trudged through the mountain of crap that was barricading my way to those said DVD's and blew the dust off of them. It took a few tries to get it all, there was many layers!
Day one of week one totally kicked my ass!
I was briefly pondering and let me stress briefly, doing the other two discs to get me caught up to day 3 which is where I should be due to starting on Wednesday but I'm pretty sure if that even was to happen I would be crawling to work tomorrow. Thankfully I have an easy work day tomorrow but I certainly don't want to do it on my hands and knees!
Oh and did I mention I'm embarking on this adventure with not one, but two bad knees......You're so right, what the hell am I thinking?!?
Stay tunes for some amusing stories as this adventure progresses.
Day one of week one totally kicked my ass!
I was briefly pondering and let me stress briefly, doing the other two discs to get me caught up to day 3 which is where I should be due to starting on Wednesday but I'm pretty sure if that even was to happen I would be crawling to work tomorrow. Thankfully I have an easy work day tomorrow but I certainly don't want to do it on my hands and knees!
Oh and did I mention I'm embarking on this adventure with not one, but two bad knees......You're so right, what the hell am I thinking?!?
Stay tunes for some amusing stories as this adventure progresses.
Friday, September 26, 2014
When a door opens, step through it.
I have been pondering in the back of my mind for quite some time now about starting a blog of some type. I have been stalling because I have NO IDEA what I'm doing. Weeelllll tonight, I jumped in feet first and created this blog and I still have no idea what I'm doing. I'm really hoping that when tomorrow comes around I will still be able to navigate my way back to it!
I have always had a love for books and the escape from reality they provide and have been wanting to do book reviews for some time now. I'm really hoping to use this blog to do just that....and to share funny stories of my darling toddler.
lets hope both ideas are successful!
I have always had a love for books and the escape from reality they provide and have been wanting to do book reviews for some time now. I'm really hoping to use this blog to do just that....and to share funny stories of my darling toddler.
lets hope both ideas are successful!
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